Wheel cover



Dec. 10, 1957 s. A.LYON 24,402

WHEEL COVER Original Filed Oct. 1, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y 620156 Albert Lyon 7 7 A. LYON Re. 24,402

' WHEEL covER Original Filed Oct. 1, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent WHEEL COVER George Albert. Lyon, Detroit, Mich.

Original No. 2,713,512, dated July'19', 1955, Serial No. 312,518, October 1, 1952. Application forreissue November 2, 1956, Serial No; 620,161

13 Claims. (Cl. 301-37) Matterenclosedin heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms nozpartof thisre'iSsue'speciIi cationymatter printed-in italics indicates the additions. made by reissue.

The present invention relates to improvements in-wheel structure and-method of making the-same and more-par ticularly concerns the ornamental and protective-covering of the'outer'side of vehicle wheels.

Anobject of the present invention= is to-provide a vehicle wheel of the conventional disk spider type-having;

novel means thereon to aiford the illusion that the wheel is of the wire spoke type.

Another object 'of the invention is to provide an im-, proved wheel cover havingnovel means simulating ;a wire spoke wheel structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel wheel cover strongly simulative of wire wheel spoke structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide'as novel-method of'making-a cover of simulated spoke'wheel appearance;

Yet another object of the invention is to provide -a novel method of making a cover of simulated spoke wheelappearance from asingle sheet metal blank toprovidecrossing spoke members in the finished article:

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbereadily apparent from' the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment thereof; taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure-1 isa side elevational view of a'vehiclewheel structure embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure-2 is a fragmentary enlarged radialsectionalrview takensubstantially on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 isasectional view through the cover, similar to Figure 2 butshowing a step in the method of makingthe cover;

Figure 4 is a diametrical sectional view through a drawn sheet metal blank demonstrating an early phase in the method of making the cover;

Figure S is a fragmentary. elevational view'of the=hlanlo shown in Figure .4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevationalview of -the trimring portion ofthe blank of Figures 4 and" aftersepa ration fromthe crown portion oftheblankyand Figure 7 is an elevational view-of the -crown portion ofthe blank afterseparation of the two portions of the blank.

The invention is adapted to beincorporated with a. wheel comprising a wheel body 10 of the conventional disk spider type having a wheel body 10 and-a bolt-onflange ll'centr'ally dished therein. A'periph'eral. outer. marginal generally axially inwardly,extendingtlange 12; an the wheel body is adapted for attachment to a base Flange-130i a tire rim which also has a side flange 14 extending generally radially outwardly, an intermediate flange 15 extending. generally axially outwardly, vand a Re. 24,402 Reissued Dec. 10,1957

'ice

2. terminal flange 17. The tire'rirn is -of' th'e typeknown as 'a 'multi-flanged drop center rim adapted for-supporting a pneumatic tire and tubeassembly 18;

For disposition at the outer side of the wheel I have provided'a novel wheel cover comprising acentral 'crown portion .19 and a trim ring portion 20 which'are connected together by' means of spokes 21 and 22; The construction and arrangement of the cover-is such that 'whenin place on the outer'side of the wheel the appearance of the wheel is-asthough it were a wire spoke'type of'wheel. Aigreat advantage is gained, however, by the fact that the disk spider type of wheel is far less-costly to 'manu facture than a'spoke type wheel and a cover as depicted here, which can be made at reasonably moderate cost from sheet metal, added to the disk spider wheel'adds only a fraction of the cost diflierential between a disk spider wheel'and a wire spoke wheel. More especially, the wheel cover lends itself more readily to finishing as desired, as for example by plating and polishing to a'high luster.-

At its outer'periphery the crown-member 19 has a generally axially inwardly extending flange 23 joined thereto on a round annular outwardly projecting rib-like prominence 24. The spokes 21 extend integrally in one piecefrom the inner margin of the flange 23and project generally radially and axially outwardly and are angled uniformly in' one rotary or torsional directionfrom the true radius. As seen in Figure l the spokes 21 are angled clockwise: Each of the spokes 21 is formed as a more orless tubular cross-sectionally rounded rib-like elongated element having a distal end flange 25 directed generally axially. inwardly and extending through a slot 27 -in a shoulder 28 of a generally axially inwardly extending flange 29 on the trim ring member 20 which in assembly opposes the flange 23 of thecrown member in spaced relation-:with the spokes connecting-the two members together in thegap thus provided between the axially extending flanges. A terminal flange 30is bent over upon itself to secure the spoke 21 in place.

The trim ring member 20 comprises a body 31-extending generally radially and preferably overlying the terminal. flange 17 of the tire rim and having its outer marginturnedunder into a reinforcing and finishing flange head 32 Each of the spokes 22 extends integrallyin one piece fromthe inner margin of the axially extending flange 29 of the trim member 20; The spokes 22 extend generally radially inwardly and axially outwardly and are angled from a true radius in a torsional direction opposite to the spokes 21, that is counterclockwise as viewed inFigure 1. There are an equal number of spokes 21'and22 and in the' assembly'the spokes cross vone another as depicted. Each of the spokes 22 has at itsdistal'endarounded lug 33 serving as an attachment terminal which in as-' sembly fits within a respective round aperture'34 provided inthe flange 23. A shoulder 35'is provided inset from the tipof the terminal 33 for limit abutment against the outside of the flange 23 in assembly.-

In order further to eifect the illusion of a spoke wheel," each of the spokes 21 and 22 isprovidedwith endboss like enlargements simulative of theattachment bosses of a spoke wheel. To this end, the spokes 21.have respective enlargement end portions -37 at their bases :and 'enlargements 38 at their distal end portionsadjacent' the attachment flanges 25 thereof. The spokes 22'havebase' prising vthe body 31 overlying the terminal fiangeof the; tire rim and the remaining leg comprising=the flange 29.

arrangedto extend inwardly in inwardlyspaced relation totheintermediate flange 15 of the tire rim.

For attachment of the cover to theiwheel; the wflange:

29 of the trim ring portion of the cover may be provided with a series of retaining clip members 41 which, as shown, have respective attachment leg portions 42 which are secured as by means of respective rivets 43 to the radially inner side of the flange 291, while attachment spring loops 43a of the clips extend generally axially and radially inwardly and then curve generally radially outwardly and then axially outwardly about the inner edge of the flange 29 so that the retaining terminals 44 of the clips will engage in resilient, tensioned biting retaining engagement with the intermediate flange In the fully assembled relationship of the clips, the inner margin of the flange 29 preferably engages against the terminal leg portion of the clip loops to increase the retaining tension of the clips against the intermediate flange. Through this arrangement, the cover can be applied easily to the wheel by generally centering the cover relative to the wheel and pushing inwardly thereon. The clips are of such construction and function in such a manner as to center the cover. To remove the cover a pry-off tool may be engaged under the outer edge flange 32 of the trim ring member and pry-off force levered thereagainst by forcing the pry-oft tool against the rim flange 17. In this con nection the shoulder 28 of the trim ring affords a convenient secondary p'ry-off shoulder spaced inwardly from the pry-off shoulder provided by the flange 32.

According to the present invention, the cover is adapted to be made from a single sheet metal blank such as stainless steel or brass of suitable thin gauge for fairly deep drawing by means of suitable press equipment. After preliminary drawing, the sheet metal blank appears substantially as seen in Figure 4 wherein the crown portion 19 and the trim ring portion are integrally joined in one piece by a generally oblique and preferably frustoconically disposed intermediate annular area 47. Moreover, the crown portion and trim ring portion are drawn in respectively reverse order to the final assembled relationship thereof in the cover. That is, the trim ring faces in the direction of the back of the crown portion and likewise the crown portion faces in the direction of the back of the trim ring portion. As thus constructed, the drawn cover blank can be readily plated and polished.

Following the polishing, the intermediate portion 22 of the blank is trimmed out at uniform intervals as depicted in dash outline in Figure 5 to separate the same into spoke sections connecting the two portions of the cover. The spoke sections are then formed up to the rounded cross-section with the end boss enlargements. At the same time, or after the forming up of the cover the ends of the respective pairs of spokes are severed from the companion piece and the two parts of the cover 19 and 20 are separated as depicted in Figures 6 and 7 and the distal end flange and lug are formed thereon preparatory to relative-reversal and assembly of the two parts of the cover.

In effecting assembly of the cover components 19 and 20, the spokes 21 and 22 are generally disposed for final assembly and the end lugs 33 of the spokes 22 are moved under tension into the respective receiving apertures 34 therefor in the flange 23 of the crown cover component 19. Then the terminal portions 30 of the flanges 25 of the spokes 21 are inserted through the slots 27 in the shoulder 28 of the trim component 20 and the spokes 21 tensioned into abutment at the flange 25 against the opposing side of the flange 29 of the trim component. Assembly is completed by bending the terminal flange portions 30 upon themselves to clinch the ends of the spokes 21 in place.

Reference is made to my co-pending application Serial No. 323,628 filed December 2, 1952, covering novel features of the retaining spring clips disclosed but not claimed herein. 7

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, inner and outer cover members having respective opposed radially spaced generally axially extending flange portions, said flange portions having respective spoke elements projecting from the respective extremities thereof and secured to the opposite flange portions substantially spaced from said extremities.

2. In a cover simulating a wire spoke wheel, an inner cover member, an outer cover member, said inner cover member having a generally axially extending flange provided with generally radially outwardly extending spokes at the inner margin of said flange, said spokes being connected to said outer cover member, said outer cover member carrying a series of spokes projecting generally radially inwardly and connected to said inner cover member spaced substantially axially from said margin.

3. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel cover inner and outer circular cover members each of which has spokes directed toward the other of said members and connected thereto, one of said cover members having a shoulder thereon slotted at intervals and the spokes of the other of said cover members having flanges engaging in said slots and interlockingly turned relative to the spokes.

4. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, an inner cover member and an outer cover member, spokes on said outer cover member, said inner cover member having a generally axially inwardly and radially outwardly facing portion substantially concealed by an overhanging axially outer portion and provided with respective apertures therein, said spokes having end lugs retainingly engaged in said apertures.

5. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, an inner cover member, an outer member, spoke-like elements connecting said cover members, said outer cover member having a generally axially inwardly extending flange, and spring clips secured to the radially inner side of said flange and extending generally radially and axially inwardly and then generally radially and axially outwardly around the inner margin of said flange and having a retaining terminal projecting radially outwardly from said flange for engagement with a tire rim.

6. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, an inner cover member, an outer member, spoke-like elements connecting said cover members, said outer cover member having a generally axially inwardly extending flange, and spring clips secured to the radially inner side of said flange and extending generally radially and axially inwardly and then generally radially and axially outwardly around the-inner margin of said flange and having a retaining terminal projecting radially outwardly from said flange for engagement with a tire rim, said flange margin being engageable with said clips in the assembled relationship thereof on a wheel for tensioning the clips.

7. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, an inner cover member, an outer cover member, said inner cover member having an axially extending flange provided with a series of spoke elements projecting from its inner extremity and having a series of apertures therein spaced axially outwardly from the spoke elements, said outer cover member having an axially inwardly extending flange provided with a series of spoke elements projecting from its inner extremity and having a series of apertures therein spaced axially out Wardly from such spoke elements, the spoke elements of the inner cover member having end portions assembled in the apertures in the flange of the outer cover member, and the spoke elements of the outer cover member having end portions assembled in the apertures in the flange of the inner cover member.

8. Ina wheel structure including a tire rim having an axially outwardly facing flange joining a generally axially outwardly extending and radially inwardly facing flange,

a cover for disposition at the outer side of the wheel having a circular portion for overlying the tire rim providing a generally axially inwardly extending annular portion for generally telescoped narrowly spaced gap disposition relative to the radially facing rim flange, and a series of spring clips secured to the radially inner side of said annular portion and each clip having a generally loop-shaped resilient portion which is substantially larger thereacross than said gap extending generally axially and radially inwardly into bottomed cover supporting relation to said axially outwardly facing rim flange and then extending generally radially and axially outwardly around the inner margin of said annular portion and providing retaining terminals projecting generally axially and radially outwardly from said annular portion into said gap for engagement with the radially facing rim flange.

9. In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, a cover member having a generally axially inwardly extending flange, and spring clips secured to the radially inner side of said flange and each clip having a generally loop-shaped resilient portion extending generally axially inwardly and then generally radially and axially outwardly around the inner margin of said flange and having a retaining terminal projecting generally radially outwardly beyond said flange for engagement with a tire rim, said flange margin being engageable with said loop-shaped portions of the clips in the assembled relationship thereof on a wheel for tensioning the clips.

10. In a wheel structure including a tire rim having a generally radially extending and axially outwardly facing annular flange and joining at its radially outer side a generally axially outwardly extending and radially inwardly facing annular flange, a cover for disposition at the outer side of the wheel having a portion for substantially overlying the tire rim and provided with a generally axially inwardly extending flange for telescoping disposition relative to said radially facing rim flange, and a series of retaining spring clips secured to the radially inner side of said cover flange and each clip having a generally loopshaped resilient portion extending generally axially inwardly and then generally radially and axially outwardly around the inner margin of said cover flange and having retaining terminals projecting generally radially outwardly relative to said cover flange for engagement with said radially inwardly facing tire rim flange, said spring clips bottoming on said axially facing rim flange and thereby supporting the cover in axial disposition 0n the wheel, said flange margin being engageable with said loop-shaped portions of the clips for tensioning the clips.

11. In a wheel structure including a tire rim having a generally radially inwardly facing annular flange with a generally axially outwardly facing annular flange disposed radially and axially inwardly relative to the radially facing flange, a cover for disposition at the outer side of the wheel and having a circular portion for overlying the tire rim with generally axially inwardly extending retaining spring fingers on said portion of the cover each having a loop-like portion bottoming against said axially facing rim flange to support the cover in axial disposition on the wheel and having generally radially and axially outwardly directed retaining terminal portions engageable retainingly in tensioned relation against said radially facing rim flange, said cover portion having a portion thereof tensionably shouldering against said loop-like portions of the retaining fingers spaced radially inwardly from the extremities of said terminal portions to enhance the tensioned thrust of the retaining terminals of the fingers against said radially facing rim flange.

12. In a wheel structure including a tire rim having a generally radially inwardly facing annular flange with a generally axially outwardly facing annular flange joining the same and disposed axially and radially inwardly therefrom, a cover for disposition at the outer side of the wheel including a circular portion for overlying the tire rim and provided with a generally axially extending annular portion dimensioned to telescope in spaced relation into the radially facing flange of the tire rim, and

a series of retaining fingers carried by the cover and each having a loop-like portion thereof extending past the axially inner margin of said cover annular portion and providing terminals projecting radially outwardly beyond said inner margin into retaining gripping engagement with said radially facing rim flange, said inner margin engaging said loop-like portions of the fingers in tensioning relation to enhance the tensioned gripping thrust of the fingers against said radially facing rim flange.

]3 In a cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, a circular radially outer cover portion, a circular radially inner cover portion, and generally radially extending structure connecting said cover portions, said radially outer cover portion having a shoulder at juncture with said radially extending connecting structure, and a series of cover retaining spring fingers carried by said radially outer cover portion and each having a looplike portion extending past said shoulder and having generally radially projecting away from said shoulder free distal retaining terminal portions engageable with a wheel flange for retaining the cover on a wheel in press-on pryoff relation, said shoulder being tensionably engageable with the loop-like portions of the retaining fingers spaced from said terminal portions in the assembled relationship of the cover on a wheel for tensioning the retaining fingers. 

